Pivot mount for awning arm

ABSTRACT

The mount comprises a pair of brackets and an arm jaw pivotally secured to the brackets. Inward from the pivot on the jaw there is a barrel disposed parallel to the axis and rotatable with respect to the jaw, the barrel being drilled and tapped transversely and receiving an adjustment bolt mounted on a bridge between the brackets. The bolt is spring-biased downward.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is related to Provisional patent application S. No. 60/207,167 filed May 26, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a pivot mount for an awning arm. More specifically, this invention relates to a pivot adapted to be secured to the side of a building to which the awning is cantilevered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Briefly, the invention is a pair of brackets and an arm jaw pivotally secured to the brackets. Inward from the pivot on the jaw there is a barrel disposed parallel to the axis and rotatable with respect to the jaw, the barrel being drilled and tapped transversely and receiving an adjustment bolt mounted on a bridge between the brackets. The bolt is spring-biased downward.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Further objects and features of the invention will be clear to those skilled in the art from a review of the following specification and attached drawings, all of which present a non-limiting form of the invention. In the drawings:

[0005]FIG. 1 is a side view of a pivot for an awning arm embodying the invention;

[0006]FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0007] A pivot embodying the invention is shown in FIG. 1 and generally designated 10. It comprises a pair of brackets 12 spaced apart (see FIG. 2) and secured onto a beam 14 which is mounted on the side of the building by anchoring devices (not shown).

[0008] The brackets 12 comprise an upward appendage 16 which partly encircles and is secured to the beam 14. The forward part of the bracket 12 is formed with a plurality of horizontal notches 18. Each bracket is formed at its lower end with a rectangular slot 22 which carries a lower bridge element 24. The bridge plate 24 is formed with a central aperture 26.

[0009] An arm jaw 28 receives pivot bolts 20 from opposite sides and includes a pair of spaced plates 30 between which the upper end of the awning arm 32 is pivotally secured. In like manner to that disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,095 issued Dec. 28, 1993, the jaw has a rearward leg 34 which is radially slotted as at 34 a around a circular opening 36. The opening 36 rotatably carries a barrel 38 which is centrally drilled and tapped.

[0010] An upper portion of each of the brackets is formed with a slot 40 which is provided with an upper bridge plate 42 bridging between the two brackets. Bridge 42 is centrally apertured as at 44. An adjustment bolt 50 is provided and extends upward through the central opening 26 in the lower bridge element 24 through the slots 34 a in the leg. The threaded bolt 50 threadedly engages in the tapped opening in the barrel 38, and the upper end of the adjustment bolt extends freely in the opening 44 in the upper bridge plate.

[0011] By virtue of this construction, when the wind or accumulated rain water pushes downward on the pivoted cantilevered awning supported by the arms 32, the barrel 36 moves upward raising the bolt 50. The head of the bolt 50 a pushes upward against compression spring 52 firmly butted against plate 24. The spring thus resists the downward movement of the awning.

[0012] Upon relief of the load on the awning, the spring 52 will immediately restore the awning arm 32 to its normal inclination. The present invention is noteworthy for its immediate restorative effect of the compression spring 52 of the arm.

[0013] Variations in the invention are possible. Thus, while the invention has been shown in only one embodiment, it is not so limited but is of a scope defined by the following claim language which may be broadened by an extension of the right to exclude others from making, using or selling the invention as is appropriate under the doctrine of equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pivoted mount for an awning arm comprising a pair of parallel side-by-side substantially identical brackets, each having at its upper end a rearwardly facing C-shaped appendage adapted to grip a horizontal beam secured to a building, the brackets formed with aligned forward pivot openings and aligned horizontal slots in their lower ends rearward of the pivot openings, the slots receiving a bridge plate connecting the brackets, the bridge plate having an opening midway between the brackets, an arm jaw adapted to support an awning arm disposed inbetween the brackets and parallel thereto, fasteners extending through the pivot openings and pivotally supporting the jaw at a pivot point, the jaw formed inward from the pivot point with a horizontal opening and a vertical slow intersecting the opening, a cylindrical barrel rotatably disposed in the horizontal opening and having a radial threaded bore aligned with the slot, a headed, threaded fastener surrounded by a compression spring extending up through the opening in the bridge plate, through the slot in the jaw and threaded into the bore in the barrel, the compression spring being compressively disposed between the head and the bridge plate to bias the barrel downwardly.
 2. A pivoted mount for an awning arm as claimed in claim 1 wherein the brackets have open central portions and are formed with aligned horizontal second slots above the central opening, the second slots receiving a second bridge plate connecting the brackets, the second bridge plate having an opening midway between the brackets, the upper end of the fastener freely received into the opening in the second bridge plate. 